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The Daily Insight

Where is lemon thyme grown

Author

Emily Dawson

Published Apr 05, 2026

How to grow lemon thyme is pretty straightforward. This little Thymus variety will flourish in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, remaining an evergreen in zones 8 and 9. Plant lemon thyme plants in the spring in a full sun setting and space them 12 inches (31 cm.) apart.

Where did lemon thyme come from?

Lemon thyme is a Mediterranean herb that has been used to treat illnesses for centuries. Once believed to be a hybrid of garden origin, between Thymus pulegioides and Thymus vulgaris, it has since received its classification after DNA analysis revealed it is its own species (Thymus citriodorus).

Where does thyme originate from?

Thyme is native to Eurasia and is cultivated throughout the world.

What is the difference between thyme and lemon thyme?

Thyme is a gentle flavored herb that has minty, earthy, and floral flavor notes. … Lemon thyme has a similar appearance and taste to the regular variety, but it offers a stronger citrus aroma and taste. Lemon thyme also has a softer flavor without the bitterness that thyme will sometimes contribute to food.

Is lemon thyme poisonous to dogs?

Although these plants are not toxic to humans, they are toxic to dogs and other small animals. This plant contains a sap that can be quite irritating to the skin and, when consumed, to the gastrointestinal tract.

Is lemon thyme a hybrid?

Lemon thyme has recently been declared its own distinct species of the plant. For most of history, it was considered a hybrid herb. However, recent DNA analysis has shown that it is not a hybrid of standard garden thyme and broadleaf thyme but instead is its own separate species entirely.

Does lemon thyme repel mosquitoes?

Crushed lemon thyme has 62 percent of the mosquito-repelling activity of DEET. Lemon thyme has shiny, bright green leaves, or look for a variegated type sold as golden lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus ‘Aureus’). This herb is hardy in Zones 5-9.

Is there such a thing as lemon thyme?

Lemon thyme is a small, shrub-like herb with tiny leaves growing in clusters along multi-branched stems. … The herb looks relatively identical to English thyme; where it differs is in its aroma and taste. Natural compounds in Lemon thyme, like limonene and thymol, give the herb a citrusy flavor.

What is another name for lemon thyme?

Thymus citriodorus, the lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a lemon-scented evergreen mat-forming perennial plant in the famly Lamiaceae.

Is lemon verbena the same as lemon thyme?

Lemon verbena The leaves can be tough so we suggest chopping them finely before adding to food; otherwise, leave them whole and remove after cooking like you would bay leaves. While lemon verbena may have a powerful lemon aroma, it has a much less aggressive lemon flavor compared to lemon thyme.

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Is Lemon balm the same as lemon thyme?

Lemon thyme – This is one of my favorite varieties of thyme. It’s less intense than other varieties, and it has a strong lemon taste. … Lemon balm – Lemon balm is in the mint family. It has rounded serrated leaves, and it grows in mounding clumps.

What is the difference between English and lemon thyme?

English thyme has dark green, oval leaves, and French thyme has narrow gray leaves. One of the most popular culinary thymes, lemon thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is known for its enticing lemon scent and taste.

Is thyme toxic?

Is thyme poisonous? Thyme is safe, in general, when used according to recommendations. However, essential oil of thyme can be toxic orally, classified into, photo-toxic, irritant and narcotic oils.

Is thyme and rosemary the same?

Thyme is a low-growing aromatic plant of the mint family while Rosemary is a small evergreen of the mint family with both culinary and medicinal uses.

What is thyme called in English?

Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme) is a commonly used culinary herb. It also has medicinal uses.

Does lemon thyme keep cats away?

Sometimes it seems as if cats enjoy a garden as much as we do. … To repel cats with smell, try planting rue, lavender, geraniums, wormwood, lemon thyme or pennyroyal in their favorite places. Citrus is a strong cat repellent, so try scattering orange or lemon peels around your plants.

Is Rosemary OK for cats?

As far as we know, most herbs—your rosemary, thyme, basil and dill—are safe for cats and dogs, but there is one that frequently colors a person’s garden that can cause a sometimes severe—and definitely strange— illness.

Is Rosemary poisonous to dogs?

The short answer is yes. Rosemary is considered non-toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA, and it may even have health benefits for your pup. Rosemary has a wide variety of uses, including serving as a potent ingredient for cooking, offering medicinal properties, and providing a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Does lemon thyme repel wasps?

However, naturally-repellent plants do exist and include mint, wormwood, lemongrass, citronella, clove, pennyroyal, sage, rosemary, geranium, chamomile, thyme, fennel, wintergreen, and sweet marjoram. Cucumber peels may also repel wasps. If you want to kill wasps naturally, insectivorous plants will do the trick.

What grows well with lemon thyme?

  • Strawberries. Thyme works as a deterrent to worms. …
  • Cabbage family crops. …
  • Tomatoes. …
  • Eggplants. …
  • Potatoes. …
  • Blueberries. …
  • Shallots. …
  • Roses.

What bugs does lemon thyme repel?

Lemon Thyme Repels mosquitoes. 2 This hardy herb can adapt to dry or rocky, shallow soil and will thrive in your herb garden, a rock garden, or a front border as long as these are in sunny locations. The plant itself will not repel pesky mosquitoes. To release its chemicals, you must first bruise the leaves.

How do you identify lemon thyme?

Identify my lemon thyme They’re greyish-green, silky and aromatic. It’s purple or white, whorled bunches of flowers bloom from May to October. Simply rub the foliage and you’ll recognize it’s distinct aroma!

Can lemon thyme grow indoors?

Featuring a light citrus-like flavor, lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodus) is a useful herb to grow indoors on a kitchen windowsill. Outdoors, this evergreen herb grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Indoor-grown plants rarely suffer from pests or other garden nuisances.

How do you harvest lemon thyme?

Harvesting: Pick leaves at any point in the growing season, although flavor is most intense just before plants bloom. You can also harvest through winter in places where thyme is evergreen. Pick individual leaves, or snip leafy stems to the length you desire.

How do you harvest lemon thyme without killing the plant?

All you need to do is remove a small top portion of each stem every week or so. You do this with a pinching action on the top of the stem. This removes the top part of the stem cleanly and those dormant leaf buds will then start to grow. Pinching and harvesting do not damage your herb plants.

What's the difference between thyme and wild thyme?

The Wild Thyme is indigenous to the greater part of the dry land of Europe, though is a great deal less abundant than the Common Thyme so widely cultivated. … Wild Thyme is a perennial, more thickset than the Garden Thyme, though subject to many varieties, according to the surroundings in which it grows.

Is lemon verbena the same as Melissa?

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora) are two of our loveliest scented herbs with uses in and out of the kitchen.

Can you eat lemon verbena raw?

Press lemon verbena leaves (sticky side down) in single layer on salmon fillet. … If you prefer a more lemony flavor, squeeze half a lemon on top before serving. You can eat the leaves if you like, or peel them off as you eat.

Which is better lemon verbena or lemon balm?

Lemon verbena produces a more intense lemon flavor and scent, but lemon balm emits a burst of zesty lemon scent with the slightest touch. Both can be used in sachets or herbal bouquets to freshen the air and lift the spirits.

Which herb has the strongest lemon flavor?

Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) has the strongest lemon taste and fragrance of all the lemony herbs. It is a large perennial shrub that can grow between 3 to 7 metres and has sprays of delicate white flowers in summer. It can be left to grow into an informal shrub or clipped and shaped.

What can replace lemon thyme?

The best lemon thyme substitutions are lemon zest with thyme, lemon verbena, lemon balm, dried lemon thyme, or lemongrass.